Educational toy



Feb. 19, 1952 o. RINDE 2,586,564

EDUCATIONAL TOY Fild Julyso, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET@ Feb. 19, 1952 o. RINDE2,586,564

EDUCATIONAL TOY Filed July 50, 1949 SHEETS-SHEET 2 .i 4o E l i C] l 5 o.Z ,25 6 QS '25C 25C as@ 21h zab zeb

INVENTOR.` @SCA Q QI N DE 225 me 230m 231 4 TTOQNEY Patented Feb. 19,1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFIcE EDUCATIONAL TOY Oscar Rinde, New York,N. Y.

Application July 30, 1949, Serial No. 107,744

This invention relates to educational toys and more particularly isdirected to an improved toy forteaching children and adults anelementary science or educational subjects, such as arithmetic orspelling, as for example, in teaching languages and spelling, alphabetletters in sequence being automatically set up into words correspondingto a picture representation carried by an operating key member.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve educationaltoys of the character described which shall comprise few and simpleparts that are readily assembled to form a neat, attractively appearingtoy of rugged construction to withstand rough usage, which shall becheap to manufacture, which shall require a minimum of skill to operateeven by a child of tender age, which shall automatically and positivelyspell out a word corresponding to a picture, or to give the correctanswer to an illustrated elementary scientific question on selectivelyinserting an operating key member, and which shall be practical andeiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in partthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements, arrangement of parts, as exemplied in the toyshereinafter described and of which the scope of application Will beindicated in the claims following. i

In the accompanying drawing in which various possible illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an educa.- tional toy constructedto embody the invention showing the key member positioned in spacedalignment just prior to being inserted for automatically spelling a wordcorresponding to a picture carried by said member, here shown as a bear.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view like Fig. 1 showing the key memberfully inserted to form a predetermined sequence of alphabet lettersetting up, B-E-A-R corresponding to the;` picture carried by saidmember.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plane view of the toy construction shown inFigs. l and 2 with the key member removed.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional taken on line 4 4 in Fig. 1showing details of the interior construction of the toy.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 5 5 in Fig. 2showing detail of the toy construction in said setting-up position ofthe 3 Claims. (Cl. 35-9) 2 sequence of alphabet letters corresponding tothe picture carried by the key member.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken onA line 6 6 in Fig.5 showing the toy mechanism with the key member in effective actuatingposition to automatically spell out B-E-A-R.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a modifiedconstruction embodying the invention directed to a different form of keymember structure.

Fig 8. is a top plan view showing a modied educational toy constructionembodying the invention for teaching elementary science, such forexample, arithmetic, and

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8 showingdetails of the interior construction.

Referring in detail to the drawing 20 denotes an educational toy for.teaching children or adults an elementary science or educationalsubjects and as here shown for teaching language and spellingconstructed to embody the invention.

As seen in Figs. 1 to 4, device 20 may comprise a casing 2| formed withsturdy base 2 la for resting on a suitable horizontal extending surfaceor table top 22 and an upstanding compartment 2lb inclined in angularrelation to said base 2Ia as shown in Fig. 4,'in which a mechanism 23 ishoused for visually indicating intelligent results, as for example,spelling a word, shown in Fig. 2, as a sequence of alphabet lettersautomatically set up, as B-E-A-R corresponding to a figure picture 24 ofa bear carried on a front side 25a of an operating key member 25 whenthe latter is effective to actuate said mechanism 23 inthe mannerhereinafter described, and as shown in Fig. 2

Casing 2l may be made of any suitable sheet material or may be molded ofplastic so that base 21a is a hollow structure having a sloping top wall2Ic and upright side walls 2 ld integrally formed therewith. As shown inFig. 4, if desired front wall 2Ie, top wall 2 If and side Wall 2Ig ofcom.-

partment 2lb may also be made integral to extend up fromy base top wall2 Ic.

For strengthening the casing structure and to serve as an anchorage fora rear closure wall panel 26, said compartment 2 Ib may have spacedfillet bosses Zlh against which said closure wall panel 26 is removablymounted by suitable mean such as, fastening screws 2Gb Mounted againstan interior side 26a`of said .removable panel 26 is mechanism .23r which.is

seen from Figs. 4 to 6 to comprise a plurality of unit assemblies 21 ofidentical construction arranged in side-by-side parallel alignment, saidassemblies 21 having a common frame or cradle 28 on which spaced apartrod racks 21a of said assemblies 21 are mounted and guided forindependent reciprocating movement through aligning opening 28a in outturned end portions 28h of said frame 2K8.

Each assembly 'rod rack 21a may be Vprovided with a row"of"teeth 21h'which mesh with a pinion 29 mounted to turn with a Wheel 30 on a commonxed shaft 3|, the latter being suitably mounted on spaced apart bearingbracketparms 28c carried by said frame 28. Suitable means such asWashers and cotter pins 3|a retain said shaft 3| from movement withrespect lto said bracket arms 28e, as is clear from Fig'.

Normally each rod rack 21a of assembly 421 is retained in an elevatedposition showing in Fig. 1, against a suitable Ystop as at 21d by atension spring 32 one end 3200i which is detachably secured to tabA-2117 or" -stripmaterial from which said 'rod rack 21a .is formed. Theother spring end 32h may be anchored to frame end portion 28D as at 32o.

The Wheel 3B may have its peripherialsurface uniformly divided'intospace Y39d each of which carries'a desired indicating means 39h, as foreX- ample, in a toy for :teaching spelling, one of a series of differentalphabet letters., but Afor teaching an elementary science, such asarithmetic, series .of numerals or numbers.

The peripheral spaces -.30q. and indicating means 30h on wheels .-39 mayloe-constructed and arranged to be visible through compartment frontWall 2|e if opaque,by any suitable means such as providing spacedwindows 2|g `as shown in Figs. 1,42 and 5.

Compartment top'wall 2| may be perforated with spaced passagevvays orholes 21h aligned with upper ends 21C of rod-racks 21a as is clear fromFigs` l, 5 and '1. Each extension actuator 25h may be of T-crosssectional shape having a longitudinal rib 25o thereof yextending to havethe leading end'thereof abut against extreme end 21o of rod-rack 21 whensaid actuators 25a are inserted into passageway 2|h. for selectivelydepressing rod-.racksV 21aJ 'for example, from their normally elevatedposition shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Figsf and 6.

"Each -key 'member 'Z5 'on 'handle portion 25o may carryiiguregpicturell 4Vand has lengths of the Yextensionl activators 25apatterned to correspond to said picture *24 so that, for example, key'member 25 -is feiectiveto actuate -mechanism'23l for automaticallysetting up B-E-A-R m3-'the` lsuccessive Wheel indicating means 38h asseen through windows 2| g when key member is fully inserted fromposition .shown in Fig. 1 to that-shown .in Fig..2.

' It -should be noted lthat said .unit assemblies i21'by includingdrives with pinions Z'Siand wheels 30V :asv described above. giverelative .ratios lof movement, as here shown,.of about -four to one andIthereby permit constructionof key member actuators 25p shorter. *and.more compact than would lbe'otherwise possible.

It has been found that when' mechanism 23 of toy 2li includesonly Afourunit assemblies 21, Wheel peripheral spaces .Stia thereof each mayextend .along one-eighth -of the circumference of the Wheel 38 andWhen-used to teach vspelling Vmay carry-indicating means 30h initheseries .of dif- `ferent alphabet letters on each lwheel 30 as is clearfrom Figs. 1, 2 and 6, and in sequence as herein below tabulated.

Wheel nextto extreme right Wheel extreme (blank) (blank) (blank) Byselectively varying the relative lengths of the actuators 25a they maybe made to effectively depress rod racks 21a for turning Wheels 30 `toVcause individual letters to appear at window 2|gautomatically.spelling-out such Words, BEAR, DUCK, GOAT, PIG, CAT, DOGetc.',.corresponding to appropriate .pictures .24 .sought to beassociated therewith.

The practical application of the invention .will now be apparent. Afterconstructing and assembling casing 2|, and mechanism 23.With.panel 26rand .units assemblies .21 as .described above .and showing in Figs. l,3 and .4, 4a. desired number of different key members .25, are .providedeach having a figure .picture 24 and spaced apart .extension actuators25h .Ofselective varying lengths patterned to .depress successive rod.racks 21a so that. wheels 3|) yturned `thereby causing B-E-A-R toautomatically appear at Window openings :2 i g -inithe constructionlhere illustrated. Aligned .leveling .spaced protuberances or stops 2Mmay be providedto .extend yfrom theexterior of compartment Wall 2|fagainst which the key members 25 abut to assure proper registering anddepression of the rod :racks 21a With said actuators 25b-as it clearfrom Figs. 3, .4, Gand?.

Normally only blank spaces of. Wheels 30 Will be visible at said Window2|g due to .the .action of springs 32 as .shown .in Figs. l, 3 vandl,but on fully inserting'extension actuator 25h .of key member 25 .in.passageway 21h of compartment Wall 2U, the Wheelsi30 Will beturned bythe rack and pinion .operation against .the .action `of .said spring 32.resulting in automatically spelling 'the word .BEAR correspondingtto aligurepicture i211 of a bear of key member 25. A

Other key members 25. having .different .patterns of actuatorlengthslrnay be I'.providedltoiautomatically spell other Words, such' asDuokf'iGr'oat, Gat,l etc., corresponding to other iigure pictures 2li,Vrespectively, .on fdiierent :key members. i

It is alsocontemplatedito teachielementary scientic subjects', such asarithmetic in `practising the invention, for example,.additions-:subtractions, multiplica'tions or division byiprovidingappropriate figure symbol pictures 24 on fkey members 2 5 andcorresponding wheel indicia f3' Sib automatically made .visualIbyprop'er lengthsy `of aotuator'25bfof different appropriate patterns.

Itis to be understood .that the lmn'nb'er of unit 'assemblies 21 ofmechanismilimayfbe .increased -origrooves of 125cm various ldepthslfor.. abutting v extreme upper ends-'21o of the .rod-racksa :to

depress the latter in the identical manner as described above for theextension actuators 25a.

For teaching elementary sciences such as arithmetic modied toyconstruction 220, embodying the invention, shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may beused.

Toy construction 220 as here shown may comprise casing 22d which has abase portion 22Ia formed with a compartment 22 lb extending therein.Said compartment 22 i o may have fillet bosses 22 lh against which reailclosure panel 228 is secured by fastening screws 226D.

Mechanism 223 like mechanism 23 of toy 26 described above is carried onthe interior side 22 of panel 225, said mechanism 229 here shownrequiringonly two unit assemblies 22? arranged in side by side parallelalignment on common frame or cradle 228, the latter supporting rodracks227e for independent reciprocating movement in the same manner asdescribed above i'or unit assemblies 2l. Each rod-rack 22la. nas teeth22'lb meshing with pinion 229 mounted toY turn with wheel 239 on commonshaft 23E, the latter being mounted on bracket arms of frame or cradle228 in the same manner as described above for shaft 3 I, the movement ofsaid rod-racks 2210, being retained in an extended position by tensionspring 232 as in the unit assembly 2 oi' toy 2D'.

Wheel 239 of each assembly 22'! may have ten peripheral spaces 230er.each carrying numerals 1J 2, 1(3) 4,11 5,25 6, 7,11 HS, Hg a,rxd JU,arranged to be visible through window 22 ig. Compartment wall 22|c maybe perforated with passageway 22H1, aligning with upper` ends 22":'c ofrod-racks 22Ml so as to be in position to be depressed by extensionactuator 2255 ci key numbers 225.

Each key member 225 may carry an arithmetic problem here shown as 9-i-9and when key 225 is eiective to actuate mechanism 223 for automaticallysetting up the answer 18 on the successive wheel indicating means, asseen in window 22 Ig shown in Fig. 8.

The construction of toy 29 requires key members 25 to be manually heldin fully inserted position to be effective. However, if desired, toyconstructions 25 or 225 may be made as shown in Fig. 9 with spaced guideramps 233 between which the key members 225 slide, and top spaced apartedge stops 234 may be provided to self-retain the key member 225 when infully inserted position, that is, when moved from the dot and dash lineposition to full line position, shown in Fig. 8. A linger Well 235 maybe provided 'oetween said stops 234 to facilitate the removal of the keymembers 225 from its retained position, as is clear from Fig. 9. Saidspaced guide ramps 233, stops 234 and finger well 235 may be integrallymolded as part of casing 22R.

From Fig. 9 it will be noted that the unit assemblies 221 are mounted oncradle 228 in a relatively upside down relation with respect to thatshown for unit assemblies 2l in Figs. 4 and 5 to provide a more compactstructure and to bring the self-retaining key member feature intoimproved arrangement when desired.

Toy construction 22,9 is used in the same manner as described for toy 29with either key member 25 or |25 but lends itself to the use in doublecapacity as each key member 225 may carry a problem on each reverse sidethereof. Thus in key member 225 shown in Fig. 8, if the same is turnedover and inserted 81 would appear at Window 22 lg which wouldautomatically solve the problem 9 9, in the well understood manner f 6(not shown) that is, each key member 225 has double utility.

Toy 20 can also have key members 25 used in such double capacity but tolimited extent thus an owls picture 24 can be made to indicate O-W-L andwhen reversed may show a cows picture and spell out O O-W.

It is thus seen that there is provided an improved toy for teachingeducational subjects of the character described whereby the severalobjects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted tomeetall conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the above invention foruse for dilerent purposes and as various changes might be made in theembodiment above set forth, it is 'to be understood 'that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In an automatic toy, a key operated means for visually indicatingvarious predetermined intelligible results, demountably interchangeableflat key members each carrying an intelligible symbol referring to oneof said predetermined result, said key members each having actuatingmeans coordinated into a pattern corresponding to each of said symbolswith respect to said result ior inserting into said indicating means toselectively render said result intelligibly visible, a casing for saidkey operated means, said casing having passageways for receiving saidactuating means, spaced apart ramps for guiding said actuating means toalign with the passageways, projecting stop means extending adjacentsaid ramps for retaining the key members in operating ei'- fectiveposition, and a ringer well provided in the casing structure betweensaid ramps to facilitate removal and insertion of said key members fromsaid eii'ective positions.

2. 1n an automatic toy, as defined in claim l, in which key operatedmeans includes a plurality of coaxialiy arranged wheels, a pinionmounted to turn each of said wheels, rod-racks mounted to reciprocate byoperation of said actuating means and meshing with said pinions, saidWheels having peripheral spaces for carrying the symbols.

3. In an automatic toy defined in claim 1, in which said key operatedmeans includes a plurality of coaxially arranged wheels, a pinionmounted to turn each of said wheels, rod-racks mounted to reciprocate byoperation of said actuating means and meshing with said pinions, saidwheels having peripheral spaces for carrying the symbols, and ademountable rear closure panel for said casing supporting the keyoperated means in eilective alignment with said passageways.

OSCAR RINDE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gollwitzer Oct. 11, 1938

